Rohit Sharma reveals age wasn’t a factor in T20I retirement

In an interview given to a YouTube channel called FITTR, Rohit Sharma clarified that age wasn’t a factor in his decision to hang his boots in the T20I format. 

The 37-year-old played for India in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 and played the format for 17 years before announcing his retirement in the post-match press conference of the T20 World Cup final in 2024. India were victorious in the game, and along with his teammate Virat Kohli, who also bid adieu to the format, Rohit also waved an emotional goodbye to T20I cricket after winning the T20 World Cup once again in his career. 

When the anchor asked Rohit if his age was the reason behind the decision, Rohit clarified that it wasn’t the case. He just felt that his time was up in the format, and he had had his fill. 

“The only reason I retired from T20Is was because I've had my time,” the former Indian T20I skipper said. 

“I enjoyed playing the format. I played for 17 years, and I did well. When you win the World Cup... it was the best time for you to move on. It was time to move on and look after other things. There are a lot of good players who can do well for India,” Rohit said.

Rohit continues to be active in the other two formats for India, and leads both the ODI and Test teams of India. While questions have been raised on his fitness, the Indian skipper has maintained that it’s something he keeps working on, and highlighted the fact that most things for him depend on the mental state. As a result, if he wants he can still play all the three formats of the game. 

“I just felt it was the right time. I can still play all three formats easily,” Rohit said. 

“That's why I say that fitness is in your mind and how you train it. I believe everything is in the mind, I have a lot of self-belief because I know I can control my mind. It's not easy, but I know most of the time, I can do that. If you tell your body you're young, you can do that.”

India are currently playing a two-Test match series against Bangladesh at home, which will be followed by three Tests against New Zealand and then the marquee five-Test match series for the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia at the end of the year. Rohit is set to captain India and play (if fitness permits) in all of those. 

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